by Max Jager
"There were thirty more, so including the three chasing them, thirty three. Lady Nyoko did not get so much as a scratch. Lord Seiji had a small sword sticking out of his gut, a deep gash across his chest, and many cuts up and down his arms and legs. However he did come out the victor."
Nodding, Santrix sighed. "Alright I am going to go and sit with her." As she started to walk away, Santrix winked back at Isamu. "You are more than welcome to come and sit with me and give me someone to talk to until she wakes up."
"I will bet here soon."
Turning to Santrix the guard sighed. "My Lady, also your parents will be here soon. They wish to have everyone together to see what is going on."
"Right."
With a sigh, Isamu crossed his arms as he looked toward the West then sighed. Everything was getting out of hand, and the only one who didn't know the first thing about fighting was his sister. Opening his eyes he glared. "I know one thing little sister. You just don't know how hard I am going to push you to learn not only self-defense but how to find period. I won't have you defenseless after this. Not a chance in hell."
"I know the feeling." Walking up next to Isamu, Chiren sighed as he crossed his own arms. "However with Nyoko it isn't lack of knowledge, it is lack of experience that will help her."
Nodding Isamu sighed as he half smiled. "Indeed. Good luck with that one. I doubt you are going to have much time to do that with her before she leaves." He then turned and headed into the palace to sit and talk with Santrix.
With a deep breath, Chiren let his eyes dart from the West, to the window where Kiara was. He wanted to focus on his sister and everything else going on, but he just couldn't stop letting his mind wonder to her and worrying about her. He had to wonder if what Sanzo said was true. 'But that couldn't be it could it? No one could deny how attractive she is, but that has to be all it is. Right?'
Branching Out Chapter 131
Five days later, everyone was in the North except for Kurosai and Sorae who were still in the South, and Atsana and Ayame who were in the East. Other than that, everyone and all their kids were in the North.
But now that finally everyone concerned was in one place, it was time to talk about what was going on out in the world so that everyone knew what was going on. That way everyone could know how to deal with things when they came up. Standing before everyone else was Chiren, with Nyoko next to him, then Seiji, Kiara, Katana, Santrix, Torakus, Isamu and Kuri on the other end.
Sitting at the large round table was Kiyoshi, Yokiyo, Shone, Yukani, Sidhae, Sakon, Hideo, Ina, Sanzo, Imae, Soichiro and Emiko. Standing in the back was Yoite. With a sigh, Chiren pulled all eyes to him as he dropped his head. "I have been trying to figure out where to start but I can't even think with everything that has happened."
Looking up at her brother Nyoko blinked as she tapped his arm. "Well literally everything happened when Father let me go on a hunt with my guard and we were attacked. Just start from that. It is what started everything but with Uncle Tikae and Aunt Toki."
Nodding as he smiled, Chiren turned back to everyone. "Good point Nyoko." Crossing his arms, Chiren sighed. "Everyone here basically knows that already. They were attacked by a group of wolves. One of her guard was killed another injured as one rushed her back. I tracked them down, but never knew Noke's scent and no one used names. With my men I had with me, we took them out. That was when Father told me to go to the South, then to the East, and then to the West before coming back home. Getting someone from each land to come with me."
Drawing eyes to her, Kiara nodded. "Father sent me because of my memory. After we left the South, instead of the normal rout that took three days to get to the East, we shaved a day off of that by going up to Lord Tikae and Lady Toki's palace. We were going to stay there for the night then another day to the East. Half way there I smelled smoke. Rushing that is when found what happened." She then glanced a worried look to Chiren as he narrowed his eyes. "We talked about what could have happened or who might have been there some. But then with nothing just the two of us could do, we went to a hot spring to stay the night then on to the East."
Pulling eyes to him now, Torakus spoke. "When they got to the East, I was sent with them. Father also sent word to the North and South about what happened. Then we headed West to meet Katana, Seiji, Santrix and Kuri there."
Pulling eyes to him now Katana nodded. "Needless to say the news did not go over well in the South. However Father had told Kiara if anything bad happened that he would send the rest of us to the West. That was why no messenger was sent there. Just before they left, Mama had one of her feelings as well where she was hysterical for a while."
Nodding, Chiren spoke again as all eyes once again turned to him. "From the day we got to the East to when we got back here to the North was eight days. We had only just been here long enough to talk to father a little about what happened when Hideo, Yukimura and Ieyasu came. They were the ones that old us that Kenji and Noke were kidnapping the mates and children of Uncle Tikae's men, forcing them to turn on him and help kill him and Aunt Toki in the end. Telling them if they didn't their mates and children would die or worse."
Now pulling eyes to him at the table Sanzo nodded. "During those eight days then is when I sent my men out to put out the flames and burry the bodies of Tikae, Toki and the others."
Nodding with a small bow, Ina drew her eyes to them. "It was after that when Hideo, Yukimura and Ieyasu arrived. I was the one who told them. I witnessed Lord Sidhae's mate and chick being kidnapped from my home. I tried to track them but could not. That was when I went in search of them. When we got back and found what happened, I had one thing in mind. Lady Toki never trusted Kenji and always feared being slain by him. She had a stone safe room built for the children just in case. That was where we found Lord Raidon and lady Mizareke. We had them for two days then brought them here."
Taking her hand, Hideo sighed. "We could find where we could smell tiny traces here and there of the women and children as well. But didn't know how to find them. But…."
Crossing her arms, Santrix pulled their eyes back to her. "They showed us where it was. Nothing but the solid side of a mountain on the outside. The plan was to free them and let the other dragons know what was going on so they could turn on Kenji again."
Nodding, Katana once again had all eyes on him. "When we couldn't find anything use our powers alone, Kiara and I used our purification and located them while Nyoko explained to Yukimura and Hideo about how we could do this. Once we found them, they were inside a purification barrier cell. Torakus broke the side of the mountain open and we took out the guards that were there."
Looking at the others then to his mother, Torakus shifted his feet as he crossed his own arms. "That was when Kiara, Katana and I broke the barrier. It was Sidhae's mate that explained to us about the miko Kenji had working for him and what the men were told. She was the last to be kidnapped and once Sidhae was lead away from them, they killed the miko as well."
Crossing her arms with a growl, Kiara sighed. "That was when we started to split up at different points. Chiren, Hideo and myself went down a tunnel that she told us to take that we hoped would lead us to the dragons. The tunnel opened up on the other side two days later to a large castle that they had taken over. The only purpose was to let Sidhae know she that the news their mates and children were safe could spread like wild fire. Luckly we ran into him and Sakon first thing."
She then tensed as she growled and narrowed her eyes. "That was when we saw her. Jonas. The daughter of Kenji who got a full demonstration of my ability. I want to find her again."
Knowing exactly who that was, and that would come out in a few moments, Yokiyo growled as she crossed her arms. "Don't go getting off track. Finish it."
Snapping out of it, Kiara sighed. "The flare of powers while dealing with her, brought all the dragons that were forced to turn up to where we were. Once Kenji fled, Chiren and I lead the way for them all back through the tunnel, and then out toward where K
atana an d the others would have been with the women and children. That took us another three days. So five total."
Pulling eyes to him, it was Seiji that spoke. "Three days into the trip back with the women and children we were moving slow. By this point, Kiara and Chiren were about half way back down the tunnel. But that was when the wolves showed up. They didn't care what happened to the women and children and let them leave with Santrix, Torakus and Yukimura. Their target was….." But then Seiji glanced down at Nyoko as she dropped her head and stepped closer to him. "Their target was Nyoko."
Nodding Katana sighed. "Isamu and I did a quick assessment of the situation and a number count. Seeing as their target was Nyoko, we figured there would be more than one ambush between us and the North, so I figured it was safer to send Seiji who was the fastest of us there with her to the West. Isamu, Kuri and I stayed to fight. Once Seiji took one out to make a gap in them and ran, I threw up a barrier but three got out of it. I knew that Seiji would be able to handle that." But then he turned soft eyes to his brother as Nyoko fused to his arm. "However….."
"I ran straight for the rest of that day, that whole night and into the next day without slowing down. The three that got out of his barrier were always there, but staying back on purpose. Once I had to stop, they caught up, and then thirty more came out of nowhere. I put Nyoko on my back and fought. I won, but was hurt. That was when Master Yoite and his men showed up. Some helped me to the West, others went to tell everyone else what happened, and then we came here."
"On our way back to them, I thought that they were all together. But I did get a feeling like Mama that was centered around Seiji and Nyoko. I didn't put much more thought about that because I thought they were all together. It wasn't until we got to where Katana, Isamu and Kuri were waiting on us and they told us what happened. They lead the dragons on to the North, and Chiren and I headed to the West to check on Seiji and Nyoko."
Nodding, Chiren sighed. "We were about half way to where they were by that evening when Yoite's men ran into us. Once they told us what happened, and that Yoite was with Seiji and Nyoko, we all turned from there and headed for the North. And that is about it unless anyone else has something to add."
"I do." Pulling eyes to her, Yokiyo crossed her arms. "We had a little visit from Jonas in the South with an army of humans at her side."
Jerking her eyes to her parents, Kiara narrowed her eyes as a totally feral look gleamed over them. She wanted that woman even more now! "She did what!?"
"Calm." When Kiara flinched and dropped her head Kiyoshi sighed as he closed his eyes with crossed arms. "One of her intentions were to cause unrest between the demons of the South and the humans. She did that on purpose knowing that if I had attacked the humans it would not be good. I will defend my home and pack reguardless. However Recca had apparently gotten word about it and rode between the humans and us to stop that part." He then turned to his mate as he sighed. "Your mother however…."
Crossing her arms as she turned her head from him, Yokiyo growled. "I told you that I wasn't going to just let that go. No way in hell was that going to happen."
"What happened?"
"I fought with her. It was going nowhere at all. But I pegged her for what she was the second I saw her. Her very aura was different and I knew she was a half demon." Relaxing some, Yokiyo looked down at the table. "But the whole time fighting her something was off about her. Not that she was half demon and pure evil, but it was like I knew her. It wasn't until on the way here that it came to me. A few months before I rescued Imae and met Kiyoshi, I was in a small town. Senri and I had fame that we hadn't realized we could because of how strong we were. A young woman came to me wanting me to train her and I refused because of what she was. She was half demon and had no purification at all. It was her."
"That would explain her reaction." Glancing down at Kiara as she nodded, Chiren turned back to Yokiyo's questioning eyes. "When Kiara told her who her mother was, it looked like it actually shocked her. Having met you before that has to be it."
"Yeah well, once she was about to transform at night, your father transformed and faced her for a few seconds. Umarus seemed to know who she was once she transformed that was how we figured out she was Kenji's daughter. She will get hers. Nothing but a bitch."
"Mama!" Santrix turned wide and shocked eyes to her mother. She had never heard her mother use such language. And she yelled at anyone who used them around them.
Rolling her eyes, Yokiyo growled. "Oh just hush it Santrix. It isn't like you are all five anymore."
"In any event." Pulling eyes to him, Kiyoshi once again closed his own. "When she transformed she went straight for your mother and I stopped it. I have heard of that before. By day one form and by night another. She will mess up and she will get hers in the end."
With sigh Kiara dropped her head. With everything that happened, the only two things that seemed to be rotating in her head were to hunt down and take Jonas's head and Chiren. She hoped now that everyone was in one place and knew what was going on, that she could get away from him and get her head on straight. She just hoped that it wasn't too late. "Well that is what happened from the day that Nyoko and her guard were attacked to today."
Giggling as she leaned against Sanzo, Imae smiled. "I never thought I would see you look so worn out Kiara. Especially considering chaos and our pack go hand in hand."
Growling, Kiara jerked hard eyes up to her sister. "Imae!"
Laughing Imae closed her eyes. "Just get off of it. Because I mean really what are you going to do about it? Nothing!"
With a sigh as he smiled, Seiji looked down at Nyoko next to him. "Well? You ready?"
Nodding with a small blush, Nyoko smiled. "I guess now is as good a time as any."
Looking back up at everyone, Seiji cleared his throat pulling all eyes to him as he smiled and winked at everyone. "Well there is one more thing that needs talked about. However, everyone but Mama, Father, Soichiro and Emiko can leave if you don't mind."
His eyes darting from Seiji to Katana, Kiyoshi sighed when he saw the look on not only his face, but Isamu's and Kuri's as well, he turned back to Seiji and Nyoko with a sigh. He didn't expect this from him right now. But that will depend on Soichiro. "Very well Seiji. Out."
Turning to leave with the others, Nyoko gasped when she felt Seiji grab her hand. Turning shocked eyes up to him, she let herself blush deeply. "But Seiji this isn't how it is normally done."
Winking at her, Seiji pulled her back to stand next to him. "You need to get used to a new normal anyway. I want you here."
With a knowing smile, Yokiyo knew what was going on now. She was super proud of him and what he did to protect her. She wasn't even going to scold him for being hurt or doing what he did. But then her eyes shifted to the girls as they huddled together. Every one of them. "You girls hold it." When they all froze, Yokiyo crossed her arms. "All of you. Imae. Kiara. Santrix. No eves dropping. And no letting anyone else do it either. Understand?"
When all she got was three blank stares, Yokiyo crossed her arms with a sigh as she shook her head. "Well then fine. I will just have to go with you and do something to keep you busy. Perhaps, finding anyone who is willing to listen to all the things you did when you were pups?"
Flinching, all three girls dropped their heads. "Fine." They then walked out the door and shut it behind them.
Turning to Seiji, Yokiyo held her hand up as she turned to walk toward the door. "Oh they think I forgot. I learned with Imae before Kiara was born, if she isn't in on it, she has to do all she can. Her sisters are just like her. Going to the wall she placed a gentle hand on it and pulsed purification through it, with a sigh when she heard the jumps from the wall. Placing a barrier on the inside she smiled. "There."
Going back to stand next to Kiyoshi, Yokiyo smiled. "I swear not one of our pups know the meaning of the word private. And yes Seiji that includes you."
"Thanks Mama." But then he sighed as he kept hold of Nyoko's hand. "There is
something that Nyoko and I wanted to talk to the four of you about. And we have also learned the sooner the better or the chance might not come up for a while."
X
Now in the garden with the rest of them, Kiara sighed as she jumped up in a tree by the pond. On a normal day, in the North it wouldn't be so noisy. But right now the court yard was filled to the brim with men, women and children thanks to Kenji and Noke. And not only that, her entire family and extended were there too.
Though she knew what Seiji wanted to talk to them about, she still wanted to hear it. She was thrilled that Nyoko would be coming to the South for good. And to see her truly happy with a mate would be the best. She knew why she was excluded, but she still wasn't happy about it.
And then just exactly bellow her were Cho, Hoshiko, Santrix, Koto, Akane and Shian. All gossiping and giggling. To the right on the other side of the pond stood Torakus, Hajime, Isamu, Katana and Chiren. He was a problem for her right now too. She hoped she wouldn't be in the North too much longer or she didn't know what she would do.
